Fishing Chatfield Reservoir

Chatfield Reservoir holds trout, walleye, bass, channel catfish, yellow perch, crappie, bluegill, sunfish and carp, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocks it periodically with rainbow trout. Spring is best for walleye and trout, summer for bass, perch, crappie and catfish, with the best action early in the day or late at night. Ice fishing is usually under way by mid-December. You need a Colorado fishing license plus a park pass, and there's an accessible fishing pier near the marina on the east side.

What You Can Catch, Season by Season

• Spring (open water): CPW calls Chatfield's trout fishing some of the best in the Denver area, and spring is also prime for walleye.
• Summer: walleye, bass, perch, crappie and catfish, plus the occasional trout. The best action comes early in the day or late at night.
• Winter: ice fishing for whatever is biting under the ice, usually starting by mid-December.

Where to Fish

• The accessible fishing pier, near the marina on the east side of the lake.
• The South Platte River: an accessible trail leads to the river.
• By boat: launch at the North or South ramps after the mandatory inspection (Boating), and use the no-wake zones at the southwest and southeast ends when you want to drift.

Ice Fishing at Chatfield

Ice fishing usually starts by mid-December, once the reservoir has closed to boats (December 1 until ice-off). CPW asks ice anglers to carry proper safety equipment and follow ice-safety guidelines. Around the lake you'll find ice rescue stations: red poles with a tire and rope. Check the park website and the entrance station for current ice conditions before you walk out.

Licenses, Limits and Regulations

1. Anyone who needs one must carry a valid Colorado fishing license (sold at cpwshop.com and CPW sales agents).
2. Daily bag and possession limits are set statewide and by water. CPW points anglers to its Fishing Brochure for bag limits and to the Fishing Atlas for the species at Chatfield.
3. Clean, drain and dry gear before moving to another water; New Zealand mudsnails have been found in the reservoir.

Finding a Current Fishing Report

Fishing reports change week to week, so this page doesn't print one. For the most current picture:

• CPW's stocking reports show when and what was stocked.
• The Fishing Atlas shows species at this water.
• CPW's Fishing Awards and Records page lists notable catches.
• Rangers at the entrance station can tell you current ice and lake conditions.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: Denver-area anglers who want trout and walleye in spring without a long drive, families who want a pier with easy access, and winter ice anglers.

Maybe skip if: you want solitude on a summer afternoon. CPW says the reservoir gets quite busy in summer, with skiers in the power zone; fish the no-wake ends or come early. Planning to make a weekend of it? See Camping.